COLLECTIONS

The museum is the largest and most comprehensive repository in Minnesota for military artifacts and records.  

Artifacts  The collection holds over 50,000 artifacts—uniforms, weapons, equipment, insignia and flags, training aids, and unique personal items—objects central to the museum’s core mission.   Included are 58 “macro artifacts” such as tanks, aircraft, vehicles, artillery pieces, etc.   Objects alone cannot tell stories and convey knowledge, but in the presence of the "real stuff" of history, a uniquely powerful narrative becomes possible for the museum visitor. 

Library and Archives   The museum reference library on military history contains over 10,000 non-circulating books, manuscripts, and pamphlets, including military technical and field manuals. Special attention is given to collecting materials that specifically relate to the military experiences of Minnesotans and to military units with Minnesota ties.  

Paper archives include photographs (about 15,000), personal letters and diaries, scrapbooks, maps, posters, sheet music, periodicals and newspapers, and official correspondence, records, and orders.  A-V materials include films, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs and CDs. 

Do you have books to donate?  The library is always looking for new titles, documents and photographs to add to the collection. Unit histories, general military histories, technical and field manuals, biographies and other books of a military nature are always accepted, regardless of condition. Written personal recollections and memoirs are especially welcome. Duplicates of books already in our collection may be sold in the museum gift shop to help raise funds for the museum.